Vapor device with switch assembly

ABSTRACT

A multi-source electronic vapor cigarette which overcomes the shortcomings of current devices. The device allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select different levels of nicotine at different times of the day to satisfy different levels of craving. The device holds multiple individual containers of a different liquid concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or flavored medium only, within one device. A user can select a desired refillable container by operation of a switch to create a vapor passage from the desired container to the mouthpiece. For flavored vapor users, operation of the switch will select a container holding the desired flavor. The user can take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by another without mixing flavors within the device. The device allows any desired combination by inserting individual containers the user fills with their choice of liquid.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the filing priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/952,287 titled “Vapor Device With Switch Assembly” and filed on Mar. 13, 2014. The '287 disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to methods for making and using a vapor-type electronic cigarette (a.k.a., e-cigarette) and to vapor-type electronic devices as well. Particularly, the present device relates to an electronic cigarette having a multi-cartridge capacity and a switch for quickly and easily changing between multiple vapor cartridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic cigarettes on the market for smoking cessation predominately deliver an amount of nicotine through an atomizer connected to a liquid medium. The amount delivered with each puff is determined by the concentration of the drug in the liquid medium placed into the device. For a user, there are different amounts of nicotine needed at different times of day in order to satisfy different levels of nicotine cravings. The user can inhale more or less of the drug by taking longer or shorter puffs. To change the concentration of drug delivered, it is necessary to change the cartridge holding the liquid medium to a different concentration—for example, from a 0.3 percent concentration to a 0.1 percent concentration.

A new market has arisen for adding flavored medium to enhance the experience of simulated smoking. This flavored vapor inhalation has become an industry of its own, with a growing number of recreational users. Vapor inhalant devices now allow use of a broad spectrum of flavors, alone or mixed; however to change from one flavor to another involves either having more than one vapor device or disassembling a single device to change to another atomizer with a different flavored medium. These alternatives are inefficient, costly, complex, and/or relatively time-consuming.

Accordingly, the invention of the present disclosure provides a method and device for efficiently, quickly, and simply changing between different vapor inhalants without undue added cost. These and other problems are addressed by the present device and methods to provide a system with numerous advantages in operation and effectiveness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of current devices mentioned above. The present invention allows a user, when using the device for smoking cessation, to select different levels of a drug (e.g., nicotine) at different times of the day, to satisfy different levels of craving.

Generally speaking, the device is comprised of a body for storage of multiple liquid containers, an operational vaporizing source, a mouthpiece and an adjustable passageway to permit vaporized liquid from a selected container to be inhaled through the mouthpiece by a user.

In a specific embodiment, the invention holds multiple individual containers, each holding a different liquid concentration of nicotine, flavored or not, or flavored medium only, all within one device. The user can quickly and easily select the desired refillable container of medium by simply sliding a switch coupled to the mouthpiece nozzle to the position of the desired container. For the flavored vapor user, sliding the switch will select one of the containers holding the desired flavor. The user could take a puff of one flavor vapor followed by another, for instance chocolate, followed by cherry, then a mint flavor. There would be no mixing of the flavors within the device, so the flavors are not tainted by one another.

The present device allows almost any desired combination by inserting a plurality (e.g., two, three, four) of individual containers that the user fills with his/her choice of liquid vapor (e.g., flavors, nicotine concentrations). The present device further allows a user to quickly and easily change between a plurality of individual containers with a unique switch mechanism.

These and other advantages will be more readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description and the appended drawings referenced therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND APPENDIX

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawing and appendix, embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the vapor device in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a switch assembly used in the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating a “lift and lock” mechanism of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a series of images illustrating an embodiment of a one-way valve used in the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of a switch assembly capable of use in the device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a mouthpiece and connecting assembly capable of use in the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated.

The following is a listing of components and the respective reference number for each as used in the appended drawing figures. The component name and a brief description, where useful, is included:

Ref. No. Component/Function  1 Vapor Device  1a Main Body  1b Upper Body - Opens Device for Access to Containers of Medium  2 Battery  2a Removable Battery Cover in Rear of Device  3 Inner Compartment with spaces for 3 containers of medium  4 One Container shown, with Cap  4a Container Cap, removable to refill Container  5 Stationary Draw Tubes (3) - When Cap closes, tube lower ends create positive seals to Caps on Containers  6 Switch Box - Open area in Cap holding Switch and allowing Switch movement  6a Pop-in cover plate on rear of Device - allows insertion of Switch Assembly  7 Switch Assembly  71 Switch Frame Box - Includes holes sized to hold pop-in studs from Switch Slide, vertical pin guides for plates and springs  72 Top Plate - Slides onto pin guides in Frame  73 Bottom Plate - Slides onto pin guides in Frame  74 Springs (4) - Keep tension on Plates to return Plates to outward position  75 Spring Holder  76 Fixed Plate Inserts (6) 761 Tube with flared end to hold 762 in place 762 Seal (6) - Create seals to Draw Tubes when plates are in outward position  77 Movable Draw Tubes - Ends fit into Inserts, with Stop Rings 771 771 Stop Rings - Limit distance Plates can move inward  78 Lift Ramps (4/Plate) - See Lift and Lock Mechanism: Switch movement causes Lift Ramps to climb Lifts (781), squeezing Plates toward each other, lifting seals 762 off of fixed tubes. In next Switch position, Ramps fall into Locks (782), allowing Plates to return outward, dropping Seals onto Fixed Tubes, and hold Switch in place  79 Switch Slide. 791 Button with Grip - On outside of Device. Pins slide through slot on Device to move Switch Assembly 792 Electrical Switch inside Switch Box 793 Electrodes - When moved with Switch Assembly align with various contacts to direct power to correct Container Heater and LED. 794 Pin ends - Sized to pop into holes in Frame and lock in place  8 Pads (see 73) - Land on fixed tubes not in use to prevent air leak  9 Valve (4) - Inserted firmly into tube for one-way air flow, passive closure  91 Cut from pliable material and crimped so teeth are angled  91a Showing strip bending into circle  91b Showing angle and mobility of triangle  91c Showing when bent into circle, teeth overlap for closure  91d Shown inserted into tube, opening with air flow  10 Mouthpiece - Pressed to lock into body when not in use  11 Spring loaded ball catches (2)  12 Ball catch receivers (3) - One at bottom of mouthpiece tube. Groove 15 not shown for initial insertion, removal, then turn to lock in. Groove from top to bottom 12s to right not shown, allows for easy ball catch travel up and down. Mouthpiece cannot be removed without turning, locks into bottom 12  13 Mouthpiece Tube - Storage of mouthpiece when not used  14 Spring coil - Raises mouthpiece when catch is released  15 Grooves (not shown) - Insert mouthpiece ball catches and turn to lock position  16 Release button - Pushes pin into ball catch to release mouthpiece  17 Release pin - Disengages ball catch  18 Push button - Releases catch and open Upper Body  19 Hinge for Upper Body  20 Side push On button (2)  21 Face push On button  22 Circuit Contacts - Complete circuit to desired container heater  23 All 3 push buttons wired parallel so any one operates Device  24 Pressure switch - Must be depressed by mouthpiece ball catch to complete circuit, so Device will not work without mouthpiece extended  25 LED Indicators light to show Container in use. Ref. No. Component/Function (Alternate Embodiment - See FIGS. 5-6) A-6 Alternate Switch Box Design: Open area in Cap holding flexible Switch Plate and allowing controlled movement of Plate. A-6.1 Contains molded plenum to collect vapors from selected draw tube and discharge through mouthpiece. A-7 Alternate Switch Assembly A-71 Flexible Plate: Contains one hole for air passage, which slides either way to position hole above selected stationary draw tube. Tabs on edge of Plate fit into guide slots (A-74) on both sides of plate in Switch Box. Plate flexes as guide pins move along slots to raise and lower hole and covers onto draw tube ends for positive seal. Dotted circles indicate crimping for positive seal. A-72 Spacer attached to Plate. Spacer flexes with plate to keep contact with Switch Bracket. A-73 Switch Bracket attaches to flexible Spacer and protrudes through slot in side of Upper Body. The Switch attaches to Bracket to move the assembly. A-74 In lieu of Plate crimping, a thin layer of soft material may be attached to the Plate to create the positive tube seal. A-75 Diagram of guide slot in Switch Box which causes Plate to lift and drop for positive tube seal without damaging seal material A-10 Alternate Mouthpiece Assembly A-10 Mouthpiece as shown in original design containing spring, guides, electrical connection, and release button A-10.1 Upper Draw Tube: To avoid any one of the three containers being open when not in use, the Switch must be in the center position for the mouthpiece to retract. When the mouthpiece is depressed, it engages the Stop Ring and Tube is pushed down until bottom seal closes off the opening to center Draw Tube (5). When Mouthpiece extends, it pulls the Tube into the working position. A-10.2 Stop Ring A-10.3 Openings in Upper Draw Tube allow passage of vapors to Mouthpiece. A-10.4 Bottom Seal, which engages and closes center hole of Plate.

As detailed above, the disclosed invention may include several individually unique parts and which collectively and individually achieve the unique functions of the present device. Additionally, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, alternate embodiments of many of these components are available as well.

The purpose of the device 1 is to allow a user, whether for tobacco cessation or inhalation of flavored vapor, to operate the device while allowing quick and easy changing between different dosages of a component (e.g., nicotine), different flavors of vapor, or any combination thereof, or more than one of the same, as the user desires.

Referring now to drawing FIGS. 1-6, preferred and alternate embodiments of the electronic vapor cigarette device 1 are illustrated and will herein be described. As illustrated, the vapor device 1 is configured to hold three containers 4 of liquid medium (one shown), each with its own atomizer/heater (coil in container 4).

Generally speaking, the device 1 comprises a base section having a main body la and an upper body lb. The main body la contains a battery 2 as a power source. The battery 2 is used to power the vaporizing feature of the device 1. An inner compartment 3, designed with divided sections is configured to hold multiple containers 4 of liquid medium.

The containers 4, containing an absorbent medium for holding the liquid to be vaporized (as is well-known in the art) and a heating element/atomizer, which may be metallic or plastic, is designed specifically to fit within the inner compartment 3. The containers 4 fit into the inner compartment 3 so that the base of the heater makes electrical contact with the circuitry to the power switch 21. If plastic, the containers will have a metal strip to conduct electric current from the heater to an electrode imbedded in the cap 4 a, which contacts an electrode. The containers 4 may be removed from the inner compartment 3 for easy exchange or refilling. Alternatively, the containers 4 can be refilled in place.

The device 1 is preferably about the size and shape of a common smart phone, and can be carried in a shirt pocket, or wherever a person would carry a phone. The mouthpiece 10 can be stored within tube 13 in the upper body lb where a push of a recessed release button 16 can be used to pop up the mouthpiece 10 into place for use. Only when the mouthpiece 10 is in the extended position will it be possible to complete the circuit to the heater/vaporizer, thus the device cannot be accidentally engaged when carried.

There are preferably three “power” buttons, any of which can be pushed to activate the device 1. The two side buttons 20 are at the balance point, so they would be under the finger and thumb of the user when held in the flat or vertical position by the sides. The third button 21 on the face would be under a user's finger when held flat between a finger at the center of a front face and a thumb at the center of the rear face.

The switch 79 for changing between the three containers slides between three positions. The circuitry sending power to the heater/vaporizers switches power to the selected container 4. An LED light may be used on the face of device 1, above the selected container to light briefly upon moving the switch 79 to that container. The LED may also come on when a power button 20 or 21 is engaged to show that container is in use.

As shown in FIG. 2, the switch assembly 7 has internal draw tubes 77 that are moved by the switch assembly 7 to engage the mouthpiece tube 13 and the fixed tube 5 connecting to the selected container compartment 3. As the switch slide 791 is engaged, ramps 78 on the surface of two plates 72, 73 act against lift profiles 781 in the switch box 6 to squeeze the plates 72, 73 together against springs 74, raising seals 762 affixed to tubular inserts 761 fixed in the plates, thus protecting the seals 762. Then, as the switch moves on, the ramps drop into locks 782, allowing the plates to return to their outward positions, engaging the seals 762 and pads 8 onto the mouthpiece tube and a different fixed tube 5.

The internal draw tubes 77 are inserted into the fixed plate inserts 761. The inserts 761 are free to move over the tubes 77 as far as allowed by the stop rings 771 when the plates 72, 73 are squeezed together. Stop rings 771 are held in a slot in the tube 77, and are a spring coil, keeping the internal tubes 77 from changing position relative to the inserts 761 when the plates 72, 73 move apart.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternate switch assembly A-7 is illustrated. The alternate switch assembly A-7 is contained within an alternate switch box A-6 having an open area for holding the flexible switch plate A-71 and allowing controlled movement of the plate. The cover plate A-6.1 contains a molded plenum to collect vapors from a selected draw tube and discharge the vapors through mouthpiece 10. The alternate switch assembly A-7 includes flexible plate A-71 which contains a single hole for air passage. The plate A-71 is capable of sliding in either direction to position the hole above a selected stationary draw tube 5. Tabs on the edge of the plate A-71 fit into guide slots A-74 on both sides of plate. Plate A-71 flexes as guide pins move along slots to raise and lower hole and covers onto draw tube ends for positive seal. Dotted circles indicate crimping for positive seal.

A spacer A-72 is attached to plate A-71 and flexes with the plate to keep contact with switch bracket A-73. The switch bracket A-73 attaches to the flexible spacer and protrudes through a slot in side of the upper body 1B. The switch attaches to the bracket A-73 to move the assembly A-7. In lieu of the plate A-71 crimping, a thin layer of soft material A-74 may be attached to the plate A-71 to create the positive tube seal. Diagram A-75 of guide slot in the switch box A-6 illustrates how the plate A-71 is caused to lift and drop for positive tube seal without damaging the seal material A-74.

An alternate mouthpiece assembly A-10 is shown in FIG. 6. The mouthpiece A-10 is similar to the original design in that it includes spring, guides, electrical connection, and a release button. However, the upper draw tube A-10.1 is configured to avoid any one of the three containers 4 from being open when not in use. Accordingly, the switch must be in the center position for the mouthpiece A-10 to retract. When the mouthpiece A-10 is depressed, it engages stop ring A-10.2 and the tube A-10.1 is pushed down until the bottom seal A-10.4 closes off the opening to center draw tube 5. When the mouthpiece A-10 extends, it pulls the tube A-10.1 into a working position. The openings A-10.3 in the upper draw tube A-10.1 allow passage of vapors to mouthpiece A-10.

Valves 9 (FIG. 4) are inserted into the lower end of the fixed tubes 5 and contact the hole in the cap 4 a of the container 4 when the upper body lb is in a closed position, creating a seal. The tabs of the valves 9 naturally lie overlapping one another in the closed position, preventing evaporation of the medium in the containers 4. A small amount of vacuum or airflow will cause the valve 9 to open to allow full passage of air and vapor. An additional valve 9 is placed into the center lower insert in plate 73, because this insert will contact all three of the fixed tubes 5, depending on the switch position. This additional valve is to prevent any residual vapor in the fixed tubes 5 from entering the central tube when not in use. The pads 8 between the internal tubes on the bottom of plate 73 cover the other fixed tubes 5 not in use.

The containers 4 are specifically designed to fit in the inner compartment 3, and are refillable, either while in place, or they can be removed for filling or replacement with another container. A companion carrying case can be used to hold a number of additional containers, whether empty, partially used, or full, with seals closed against the ends to prevent spillage or evaporation.

It will be intuitive to someone of skill in the art that changes can be made to the illustrated device to achieve several different embodiments. For example, the device can be designed to hold from two to four or more specifically designed containers, depending on the intended or desired use. With additional containers, the size and volume of the containers may be reduced, or the device enlarged.

The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicants' contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic vapor device comprising: a multi-chambered main body configured to hold a plurality of changeable fluid containers; a mouthpiece, fluidly coupled to the main body; a switch assembly including at least one air tube for fluidly coupling the mouthpiece to the multi-chambered main body; a power source; and a vaporizing source capable of being activated by the power source; wherein liquid within a changeable fluid container loaded into a chamber of the main body is vaporized by the vaporizing source when activated, and the vapor is drawn by a user from the container through a vapor passage comprised of the air tube and the mouthpiece.
 2. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly allows selection between a plurality of fluid containers loaded within chambers of the multi-chambered main body.
 3. The electronic vapor device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of fluid containers comprise one of either a different flavor for each container, a different concentrations of a base material for each container, or both a different flavor and different concentration of a base material for each container.
 4. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, further comprising a one-way valve positioned within the vapor passage.
 5. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of power switches electrically connected to the power source.
 6. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the mouthpiece is retractable into the main body.
 7. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the vaporizing source is positioned within each of the fluid containers and electrically connects to the power source when loaded into a chamber of the main body.
 8. The electronic vapor device of claim 1, wherein the switch assembly is slideable to change between the plurality of fluid containers loaded into the main body.
 9. A method for providing multiple vapor sources to a user for inhalation, the method comprising the steps of: providing an electronic device comprising: a multi-chambered main body configured to hold a plurality of changeable fluid containers; a mouthpiece, fluidly coupled to the main body; a switch assembly including a sliding switch and at least one air tube for fluidly coupling the mouthpiece to the multi-chambered main body; a power source; and a vaporizing source capable of being activated by the power source; loading a plurality of fluid containers into the multi-chambered main body of the device; selecting one of the plurality of fluid containers for immediate use by operation of the switch; activating the power source of the electronic device so as to deliver an electric current to the vaporizing source; vaporizing fluid within the selected fluid container; and inhaling the vaporized fluid by drawing it from the fluid container, through the air tube and into the mouthpiece.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of: deactivating the power source; selecting a different fluid container for immediate use by operation of the switch; reactivating the power source to deliver electric current to the vaporizing source; vaporizing fluid within the selected fluid container; and inhaling the vaporized fluid.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of loading a plurality of fluid containers comprises one of either the step of loading a different flavor for each container, loading a different concentrations of a base material for each container, or loading both a different flavor and different concentration of a base material for each container. 